Lake Forest and Lake Bluff riders who catch midday Metra trains lose that option starting Monday, Aug. 3, as the agency begins a nearly three-month track replacement project that shuts down daytime service on portions of the Milwaukee District North Line through Friday, Oct. 23.

The project spans 17 rail miles of single track between Rondout and Fox Lake. Crews will replace nearly 4.5 miles of rail and 18,500 railroad ties, installing approximately 24,000 feet of new rail. Because work equipment and passenger trains cannot share the single-track corridor simultaneously, midday trains must stop running in the construction zone.

"Tie and rail replacement is essential maintenance on the railroad, but this project is complicated due to a long section of single track that makes it impossible for work equipment and passenger rail service to operate simultaneously," Metra Executive Director and CEO Jim Derwinski said in the agency's July 14 announcement.

Three phases, moving north to south

Metra is suspending midday service in stages:

Phase 1 (weekdays Monday, Aug. 3–Friday, Aug. 14, and weekends Aug. 8–15): Midday trains originate and terminate at Lake Forest. Riders at stations north of Lake Forest have no midday rail service.

Phase 2 (weekdays Monday, Aug. 17–Wednesday, Sept. 9): Midday trains originate and terminate at Libertyville.

Phase 3 (weekdays Friday, Sept. 11–Friday, Oct. 23): Midday trains originate and terminate at Grayslake.

During Phase 1, Lake Forest is the northernmost station served. That means Lake Bluff riders and anyone heading to stations farther north cannot board a midday train and must find another way to travel.

No shuttle bus announced

Metra has not announced any shuttle or replacement bus service. The agency is directing affected passengers to use stations on other Metra lines or find alternate transportation to the nearest open station during midday hours. Detailed schedules for each phase are posted on Metra's website.

What it means locally

Metra's announcement addresses only midday service; the agency has not indicated any changes to morning or evening rush-hour trains through Lake Forest and Lake Bluff. Anyone who relies on a midday departure for appointments, errands, or flexible work schedules will need to drive or arrange a ride for the duration of the project.

The suspension does not affect riders who board only during peak commute hours, according to Metra's published plan.

Phase 2 begins Monday, Aug. 17, when the construction zone shifts north and midday trains will terminate at Libertyville instead of Lake Forest.